Nothing Ear 2 launched with better specs, same design

Nothing launched its first product – the Nothing ear 1 – on July 27, 2021. It followed that release with the slightly different one Nothing ear stick in June 2022. Today it launches another pair of true wireless earbuds. But this time they are the true successor to the original Ear 1.

The aptly named Nothing Ear 2 may look like an iterative version of the Ear 1, but there’s quite a bit going on under the hood that makes these earbuds a big step up from the original. If you want an in-depth look at these new earbuds, be sure to check out our full Nothing ear 2 review. Continue on for a summary of what to expect.

The image above shows the Nothing Ear 1 next to the Ear 2. At first glance, you might think that Nothing is pulling a fast one and is simply re-releasing a 2021 product. However, there are many differences here, both outside and inside.

• Design: Although the earbuds look the same, the housing and the earbuds themselves have been redesigned. The housing is slightly smaller and uses fewer materials in its construction. The earbuds are the same shape, but have been completely redesigned inside to accommodate all the other changes on this list.
• Codecs: The Nothing Ear 2 supports LHDC 5.0, a significant step up from the Ear 1, which only supported AAC and SBC (both are also available on the Ear 2). LHDC 5.0 provides frequency transmission up to 24 bit/192 kHz at speeds up to 1 Mbps. In other words, Bluetooth sounds closer to wired than ever before.
• bluetooth: Speaking of Bluetooth, the Ear 2 jumps up to Bluetooth 5.4 from the original Bluetooth 5.2. They now also support multipoint connections, allowing you to connect the earbuds to two devices at the same time.
• Service: Instead of tapping the stems of the earbuds for playback control, you now squeeze the stems. This should be easier and more accurate for starting/stopping playback, switching tracks, etc. You can customize these controls in the Nothing X app.
• ANC: The active noise canceling (ANC) has been upgraded in the Nothing Ear 2. Not only is it more effective at blocking noise, but it can also be adjusted to the shape of your specific ear canal. It also has a new adaptive mode that can automatically increase or decrease ANC by listening to your surroundings.
• Battery life: With ANC turned off, nothing says you can get up to 6.3 hours of playback on the Ear 2, a step up from the Ear 1’s claimed battery life of six hours. With ANC turned off and a fully charged case, you can get up to 36 hours of playback before running out of power.
• Sustainability: The Ear 2 is IP54 rated, while the housing is IP55 rated. The Ear 1 was only IPX4 rated.
• Personal sound profile: The Nothing X app still has equalizer controls, but now they’re more refined and automatic. The Personal Sound Profile allows you to perform a hearing test and the Nothing X app gives you equalized levels that are personally tailored to your hearing.

You can buy the Nothing Ear 2 starting today, March 22. For now, the exclusive place to buy them is Nothing.technique. In the United States, you’ll pay $149 for the earbuds, while UK residents will pay £129 (~$157). They only come in one color scheme for now, and that is white. We assume a black model will appear eventually, but nothing to comment on this.

Tomorrow, March 23, shoppers can head to London’s Nothing Store Soho to get their hands on a pair of these earbuds. And starting March 28, the Nothing Ear 2 will reach general sales through third-party retail partners.